1. Top Pick: Apple Watch Series 4

What better place to start than with Apple’s own take on the smartwatch, the Apple Watch. This watch has been around for some time now, but the latest iteration, the Series 4, has introduced a number of new features and a slightly refined design, making it by far the pick of the bunch.

Design

Not much has changed for the Apple Watch in terms of design, but the Series 4 does come with a larger display compared to its predecessor, as well as rounded edges and reduced bezels. This gives the device a very modern appearance, which will likely appeal to you if you are looking for a high screen to body ratio.

The digital crown has also been improved and now comes with haptic feedback, giving it a more premium, mechanical feel. It’s a minor touch, but its the small details that often make Apple products so desirable, and the company has hit it out of the park once again with this addition.

The watch comes in two sizes, with a smaller 40mm version available for slender wrists, and a larger 44mm option available for broader wrists. Both options are also 10.7mm thick, meaning you shouldn’t have any issues in terms of bulkiness.

For the casing, you have the choice of either aluminum or stainless steel. Both of these metals are highly durable, but if you are going for more of a premium look, stainless steel is arguably the way to go. Alternatively, if you want the device to be as lightweight as possible, the aluminum casing is the better option.

You also have plenty of choice in the strap department, with stainless steel, leather, and silicone options all on offer. Your decision here will largely be a subjective one, but if you are into fitness, a silicone strap will be your best bet. The reason for this is because unlike leather, silicone doesn’t soak up sweat or discolor over time. It also provides a more comfortable fit than metal straps, thanks to its flexible structure.

The Series 4 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable to wear while swimming or taking part in other water-based activities. This level of water resistance applies to both freshwater and saltwater as well, which is an added bonus.

Features

The Apple Watch has always been blessed with a wide variety of features, but the Series 4 has taken things to the next level. Its main features include activity tracking, GPS, cellular, NFC, heart rate monitoring, emergency SOS, altitude tracking, and one-way notifications. However, the device also comes with a number of other minor functions that allow it to integrate with an iPhone seamlessly.

One of the standout features of this device is its ability to take an ECG. This function works by using an electrical heart rate sensor to measure your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. The readouts can then be sent to your doctor for analysis.

The SOS feature on this device has also received a lot of attention, mainly because of its ability to potentially save lives depending on the situation. The inclusion of fall detection means the function can be activated automatically as well, which is crucial, especially if you have a bad fall and become incapacitated.

The main reason you will likely be drawn to this device, however, is because it uses WatchOS. This operating system has been specifically designed to work with iPhones and other Apple products, and for this reason, the other devices in this guide simply can’t keep up in terms of integration and ease of use.

There is, unfortunately, one big downside to this device, and that is the fact that it still doesn’t have native sleep tracking, despite now being in its fourth generation. You can download apps for the device that allow it to track sleep, but the performance simply isn’t comparable to what native versions of this feature can offer.

Battery life

The Apple Watch has never been known for impressive battery life, and this remains the case for the Series 4 as well. On a single charge, the device will last up to 18 hours, which is quite simply below par compared to most other smartwatches these days.

This means you will likely find yourself charging the device almost as often as your iPhone, which isn’t the end of the world, but it could get rather tedious after a while. It also makes sleep tracking less viable, especially if you plan to use the watch during the day while at work or at the gym.

Despite its underwhelming battery life, the Apple Watch Series 4 remains the standout option for anyone with an iPhone. Not only does the watch have a stunning design and an excellent feature-set, but its operating system also integrates with iOS flawlessly, making compatibility issues and other limitations almost non-existent.

2. Best Value: Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung has been making smartwatches for a while now, but it’s fair to say that up until this point, most of its products have been met with mixed reviews. The Galaxy Watch, however, marks a fresh start for the company, and its refined design and extensive feature-set make it a compelling option for anyone looking for an alternative to the Apple Watch.

Design

The Galaxy Watch has a much more traditional appearance compared to the Apple Watch, which will likely appeal to you prefer more conventional styling. In many ways, the Galaxy Watch looks a lot like Samsungs Gear S2 smartwatch from a few years back, although some heavy refinement from the company has allowed it to achieve a far more premium look.

The display on the Galaxy Watch is a brightly-lit AMOLED panel, featuring vibrant colors and plenty of sharpness. It is by far one of the better displays we have seen on a smartwatch, although we would have preferred it to be slightly larger.

Like the Apple Watch, the Galaxy Watch comes in two different sizes, including a smaller 42mm version and a larger 46mm version. Both versions also feature the same specs, meaning that you aren’t going to lose out on anything other than display size if you decide to go for the smaller option.

You only get one option when it comes to the casing for this device, but fortunately, that option is a high-quality stainless steel shell, which not only looks great but also offers plenty of durability. An aluminum option would have been nice, but considering this device doesn’t have an inflated price tag, the need for a cheaper option is less of a necessity.

The strap is made from silicone, which means it will provide plenty of comfort even when worn tightly. This makes it the perfect choice if you are looking to use the device for fitness training. However, if you intend to use the device as more of a dress watch, third-party straps are also available.

The Galaxy Watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, putting on par with the Apple Watch in this department. This means swimming with the device is unlikely to damage it. However, more intensive water activities such as diving could cause some problems.

Features

The Galaxy Watch is the most feature-rich smartwatch Samsung has ever produced. Its main features include activity tracking, activity modes, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, Bixby, GPS, NFC, heart rate monitoring, and one-way notifications. However, on top of this, you also get access to Tizen OS, a custom operating system developed by Samsung, which has been designed to work with all smartphone systems, including iOS.

To use the Galaxy Watch with an iPhone, you will first need to download the Galaxy Watch iOS app from the App Store. Once installed, the app will allow you to configure a number of settings on the watch, as well as view the battery storage and RAM status of your device.

One of the best features on this device is the number of activity modes it offers. There are 21 activities to choose from in total, including a number of obscure options such as hiking and pilates. Using these activity modes allows you to tailor the feedback you get from your training, giving you a more specific breakdown of your performance.

Another interesting addition to this device is stress tracking. This feature works by analyzing the data captured by the other sensors on the device and using that information to calculate your stress levels. It might not seem like an important feature, but with many of us neglecting our wellbeing in order make deadlines and other plans, it could be useful to take a moment to check our stress levels from time to time.

Despite having some excellent features, there are few things the Galaxy Watch simply won’t be able to do while paired with an iPhone. This is due to Apple’s closed iOS software, which restricts outside products and systems from fully utilizing it and interacting with it.

The main feature you are likely to miss is the ability to respond to messages and other notifications. However, you will also be unable to use Samsung Pay or sync iPhone Reminders, which is disappointing, as these are key features of a smartwatch these days.

Battery life

The Galaxy Watch can last up to 4 days on a single charge, which is pretty impressive by today’s standards, especially when you consider the quality of the display it’s powering. There are other devices in this guide that outperform the Galaxy Watch in this department, but a 4-day battery life shouldn’t cause you any issues.

This is an excellent smartwatch with some amazing features and a premium design. However, it is let down by the fact that iOS limits its functionality when being used with an iPhone, which, unfortunately, brings down its overall rating.

3. Best Budget: Fitbit Versa Smartwatch

Fitbit is a company best known for producing fitness trackers rather than smartwatches. However, in recent years the company has also begun delving into the smartwatch market as well, with the Fitbit Versa representing the brand’s flagship offering in this space.

Design

The Versa’s square watch face and minimalistic styling suggest Fitbit might have taken some inspiration from Apple when designing this product. Despite this, however, the Versa simply doesn’t compare in terms of quality. The device doesn’t look or feel cheap, but as soon as it placed next to something like the Apple Watch, the difference is immediately noticeable.

This cheapness, unfortunately, filters through to the display as well. There is nothing wrong with the quality of the panel being used on this device, but Fitbit has decided to include a large black bezel around it which leaves the display feeling rather small.

The device is very compact, however, and with a width of just 38mm, it should fit comfortably on anyone’s wrist, regardless of size. The casing is also only 11.2mm thick, meaning bulkiness shouldn’t be a problem.

The casing is made from aluminum, meaning it will provide plenty of durability while also being lightweight. A stainless steel option would have provided a bit more quality, but considering this device is primarily a fitness product, it makes sense to prioritize weight reduction instead.

The strap is made from silicone, making it soft to the touch and extremely comfortable to wear. It isn’t the most stylish strap we’ve seen on a smartwatch though, so you might be tempted to look for a third-party option to spice things up a bit.

The Versa is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it perfectly fine to swim and shower with. We recommend you avoid diving with this product though, as moving water exerts more pressure than still water, meaning the device could still become damaged at shallower depths.

Features

The Versa comes equipped with a variety of features including activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, sports modes, altitude tracking, music storage and controls, and one-way notifications. On top of this, you also get access to the Fitbit app, which is packed full of useful fitness features to help you take your training to the next level.

As this device is a Fitbit product, its main focus is, of course, fitness. This won’t appeal to everyone, but at the same time, it makes the device a desirable option for anyone looking for a smartwatch that doubles up as a high-quality fitness tracker.

Unsurprisingly, the device performs superbly when tracking workouts, offering tailored feedback on a variety of activities such as running, cycling, and swimming. The feedback is also highly accurate and full of depth, making this one of the better options in this guide for serious athletes.

The Versa also performs well underwater, with its display remaining clear and bright even when submerged. Navigation underwater is also possible, however, you should expect less accuracy, especially when swiping through menus.

The one downside to this device when it comes to features is that there is no onboard GPS available. This isn’t the end of the world, of course, but it would have been nice to have native GPS for mapping routes when running or cycling. Mapping routes is possible via smartphone tether, but this means taking your phone with you every time your train, which isn’t always ideal.

Battery life

The Versa can last over 4 days on a single charge giving it a slight edge over the Galaxy Watch in this department. This means you can use the device fairly liberally without worrying about power consumption, which is ideal if you plan on making full use of the fitness features available.

This device doesn’t offer the same level of integration as the likes of the Apple Watch, but it more than makes up for it with its fitness functionality. These features won’t be for everyone though, meaning you might be tempted by something else if fitness training isn’t your thing.

4. Garmin Fenix 5 Plus

The Garmin Fenix 5 Plus is one of the most highly-rated smartwatches in the game right now. The device commands a high price tag, but the cost is arguably justified, especially if you are looking for a multisport smartwatch that also happens to offer a premium design and construction.

Design

The Fenix 5 Plus has a rather rugged design with an almost utilitarian appearance. Despite this, however, the device manages to maintain a very high-quality look, creating an interesting contrast between form and function.

The watch features a full-color Garmin Chroma Display with LED backlighting. The panel itself is also transflective, meaning any information it shows should always be easy to read, regardless of the environment you are in. Overall, it is a very impressive display, however, it doesn’t quite offer the same level of vibrancy as the Apple Watch or the Galaxy Watch.

The casing measures 48mm across, which is certainly on the larger side for a smartwatch, however, it shouldn’t cause any issues unless you have particularly slender wrists. The device is also 15mm thick though, so you might want to look at something else if you prefer a slim, compact watch.

The casing is made from a special ABS plastic which is highly durable and resistant to most soft scratches. It is also protected by a titanium or stainless steel bezel, depending on which model you choose, meaning the chances of the device getting damaged from a drop or impact are extremely low.

The strap is made from silicone and has a nice soft feel to it, as you would expect, given its premium quality. It also features a quick-release mechanism, which makes it easy to switch out for an alternative option, if you decide to buy multiple straps for different occasions.

The Fenix 5 Plus is also water-resistant up to 100 meters. This makes it suitable for pretty much any water-based activity you can throw at it, including snorkeling and diving. As always, however, it is important to exercise a reasonable amount of caution while using this device during these activities, as it is only water-resistant, not waterproof.

Features

The watch is equipped with a long list of features including activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, performance monitoring, GPS, altitude tracking, music storage, Garmin Pay, and one-way notifications. This makes it one of the most feature-rich options in this guide from a fitness perspective, making it an excellent choice if you are a serious athlete or fitness enthusiast.

One of the best features on this device is the built-in GPS, which comes pre-loaded with Garmins full-color TOPO maps. These maps not only allow you to follow the running and cycling routes that you have created in the accompanying Garmin Connect app, but they also let you create new routes directly from your wrist.

The watch also uses Garmin’s Trendline popularity routing to generate routes that avoid busy areas, meaning you can discover and enjoy routes that are usually preferred by other runners and cyclists. This is a great feature to have, especially if you are new to running, as it removes the stress of needing to find good routes to use.

Garmin Pay is another useful feature on this device, however, it is currently only supported by a handful of banks, which is disappointing. You can get around this problem by using the boon. app, but the process is nowhere near as seamless as using Apple or Google Pay.

The notification system allows you to view a number of different messages and alerts on the watch, but unfortunately, due to the closed nature of iOS, you are unable to respond to them. This obviously isn’t ideal, but considering most smartwatches other than the Apple Watch suffer from this issue, it is unfair to blame the Fenix 5 Plus for this problem.

Battery life

The watch can last up to 10 days between charges in smartwatch mode, making it the best performer in this guide when it comes to power consumption. The device also has a GPS mode which lasts up to 8 hours, however, this will vary depending on how much you have used the device before switching to this mode.

As far as smartwatches go, this is quite simply one of the best options available at the moment. For iPhone users, however, the functionality can be a little limited. Therefore, we recommend considering this device only if you are a serious fitness fanatic, as for general use, you might find the device to be underwhelming.

5. Montblanc Summit 2

If you are looking for a smartwatch that offers a bit more luxury, the Montblanc Summit 2 is an excellent option to consider. Not only does the device have one of the classiest designs ever seen on a smartwatch, but it also has a rather respectable feature-set, which is usually rare to see on luxury smartwatches.

Design

The Summit 2 oozes quality from every angle. Its classic appearance is refreshing to see on a smartwatch, and it gives the device an element of class that the other devices in this guide simply can’t match.

The display is a little on the small side, but it provides enough sharpness and vibrancy to be easily readable, even in brightly-lit environments. The bezel around the display is also a little thick but thanks to its inclusion of time indicators, it avoids looking offensive.

The watch measures 42mm in width and has a thickness of 14.3mm, making it relatively compact considering its form factor. The lugs on the watch also curve down the wrist nicely, which allows the device to avoid feeling bulky.

The casing is made from bicolor steel, making the device highly durable and resistant to corrosion. Having said that, the polished finish on the casing could make it prone to cosmetic scratches. However, these should be easy enough to buff out.

Montblanc has produced multiple strap options for this device, including calfskin, metal, and fabric. All of these options are, of course, very high-quality, however, we recommend the calfskin strap if you are looking for a more sophisticated appearance.

The Summit 2 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, making a viable option to swim with or use during other water-based activities. Whether you would want to take your luxury watch for a dip is up to you, but if you do, you might want to invest in a third-party strap, as certain chemicals in the water could damage the calfskin or fabric options over time.

Features

The Summit 2 has an impressive feature-set for a luxury smartwatch. Its main features include activity tracking, GPS, NFC, heart rate monitoring, altitude tracking, and one-way notifications. However, you also get access to Google’s Wear OS, which is compatible with iOS via the Wear OS by Google app.

The Google Fit app on the Summit 2 can be used to keep track of the device’s basic fitness metrics such as steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned. You can also use it to monitor heart rate, although the watch uses a separate built-in app to do this by default.

Montblanc has also included a Workout Coach app, designed to help you take your training to the next level. One of its most interesting features is its ability to measure your VO2 max, which is the amount of oxygen you are able to utilize while training. The app also assigns you a fitness score based on the data it captures, allowing you to easily gauge your progress after each session.

Another interesting feature of the Summit 2 is its ability to give you travel information. Again, to make use of this feature, you will need to download an app, but the information could be useful if you are unsure of the etiquette in certain countries.

Battery life

The Summit 2 can last anywhere between 1 and 5 days on a single charge which isn’t bad considering the quality of its display and the features it possesses. The only downside, however, is how much the battery life can vary depending on usage. For the most part, you will likely get a few days out of the device at a time, but if you plan on using GPS and other power-hungry features often, the battery life will probably drop even faster.

In terms of design and construction, this device is hard to fault. However, in terms of functionality, there are better options available in this guide for a lot less money. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy this device, but we only recommend doing so if you are drawn to its form, rather than its features.

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